Special fund set up after death of Matthew Warren

Matthew Warren took his life on Friday after battling with mental illness for years

A fund has been set up to help people affected by mental illness following the death of the youngest son of Pastor Rick Warren and wife Kay.

Matthew Warren, 27, took his life at his Mission Viejo residence last Friday after struggling with mental illness for years.

He was a lifelong member of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, where his father is pastor.

Now Saddleback has set up the Matthew Warren Fund for Mental Illness to help others facing similar challenges.

Pastor Rick has announced that the family will hold a private memorial for Matthew.

In a message to church members, he said, "Your kind words and sensitive notes to Kay and me have been such a blessing and encouragement. Many are asking about a funeral, and our family decided on a simple private memorial. Please continue to pray for the entire family."

In a previous statement Pastor Rick described his son as a "kind, gentle and compassionate man" with a "brilliant intellect" who was sensitive to the needs of others.

He said: "Kay and I often marvelled at his courage to keep moving in spite of his relentless pain. I'll never forget how, many years ago, after another approach had failed to give relief, Matthew said, 'Dad, I know I'm going to heaven. Why can't I just die and end this pain?' But he kept going for another decade."